DAA chief Kenny Jacobs begins High Court action seeking his return to work
Ray Managh
Dublin Airport chief executive Kenny Jacobs will ask the High Court on Monday to order the DAA Board to lift its suspension of him and prevent it from carrying out a proposed investigation without first appointing an independent and impartial decision maker.
Padraic Lyons SC told Ms Justice Emily Farrell when applying for short service of legal proceedings against the board that it would be more appropriate that he be returned to his office rather than languishing at home and ruminating on his position.
Mr Lyons, who appeared with barrister Colm Kitson and McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors for Jacobs that his client had been suspended from his position and had suffered humiliation and damage to his professional reputation by the leaking of information about him, information that could only have come from the airport authority.
“It is almost incredible that his suspension should have been leaked to the national media which, not surprisingly has caused humiliation to Mr Jacobs,” Mr Lyons said. “It would be best that he be returned to the work he has carried out so successfully for the last three years.”
On Monday, Mr Jacobs’ legal team will be seeking orders restraining the DAA from taking any further steps in the matter including the holding of a proposed investigation.
Mr Jacobs wants his suspension lifted and to be allowed to return to work.
He will also be seeking court declarations restraining the board from interfering with his access to airport premises or his access to and use of emails and other information technology.
Jacobs will also be seeking a declaration that he has a reasonable apprehension that the board has dpre-judged his removal from office of chief executive and that there is a likelihood of bias on the part of the board in respect of allegations made against him.
The court heard he believes a decision to carry out a proposed investigation was tainted by reason of objective bias.
When Judge Farrell said she was satisfied to grant short service returnable to Monday, Mr Lyons said the reality would be to have the application progressed in very short order from there on.
